Beautiful planting. Everyday wellbeing. Helping you create your own garden sanctuary.
Your garden should be somewhere you can breathe.
A place to enjoy your morning coffee, listen to the birds, watch the seasons change and spend precious time with the people you love.
A place that helps you slow down.
A place that feels like home.
But if we’re honest…
Sometimes our gardens feel like just another thing on the never-ending to-do list.
Perhaps you’ve bought plants that looked wonderful at the garden centre, only to watch them struggle a few weeks later.
Maybe you’ve spent far more money than you’d like to admit on plants that simply weren’t right for your garden.
Or perhaps you look outside and feel completely overwhelmed by where to start.
You know how you want your garden to feel.
You just don’t know how to get there.
And that’s exactly why I created the Thriving Garden Academy.
Not to help you create a perfect garden.
To help you create your garden sanctuary.
A garden that makes you smile every time you step outside.
A garden you’ll never want to leave.
WELCOME TO THE THRIVING GARDEN ACADEMY
£15 per month • Cancel anytime
✔️ New seasonal inspiration added regularly
✔️ Instant access today
✔️ Friendly expert support
The Thriving Garden Academy is a gentle, supportive online membership that helps you create a beautiful garden with confidence.
Inside you’ll discover simple seasonal guidance, inspiring planting ideas, beautiful plant combinations and expert support that takes the guesswork out of gardening.
No complicated jargon.
No overwhelm.
No pressure to get everything right.
Just practical guidance that helps you make confident decisions, one step at a time.
Because creating a beautiful garden isn’t about knowing everything.
It’s about knowing the next step.
And I’ll be there to help you every step of the way.
Why This Matters
I believe everyone deserves a garden sanctuary.
Not because every garden has to look like it belongs in a magazine.
But because every one of us deserves somewhere to pause.
Somewhere to reconnect with nature.
Somewhere to escape the busyness of everyday life.
The wonderful thing is…
Creating that feeling doesn’t happen overnight.
It happens one border.
One planting combination.
One season.
One confident decision at a time.
That’s what we’ll create together.
Imagine…
Close your eyes for a moment.
Imagine opening your back door.
Instead of seeing jobs waiting to be done…
You see a garden that welcomes you.
Plants you’ve chosen with confidence.
Beautiful combinations that work together.
Colour through the seasons.
Bees drifting between flowers.
A chair you’ve actually got time to sit in.
You make a cup of tea.
You step outside.
You breathe a little more deeply than you have all day.
This isn’t about creating someone else’s dream garden.
It’s about creating a space that feels like yours.
A place where beautiful planting meets everyday wellbeing.
If this sounds familiar…
Perhaps you’ve found yourself thinking…
“I don’t know what plants will actually grow in my garden.”
“I always seem to waste money choosing the wrong plants.”
“Nothing ever seems to look right together.”
“I wish somebody would simply tell me what works.”
“I want my garden to feel peaceful, but I don’t know where to begin.”
If you’re nodding along…
Please know you’re not alone.
Most people aren’t struggling because they aren’t capable.
They’re struggling because nobody has ever shown them how to make confident planting decisions.
Once you understand a few simple principles, everything starts to feel so much easier.
Here’s how I’ll help
Inside the Thriving Garden Academy I’ll help you...
🌿 Stop wasting money on plants that aren’t right for your garden.
🌿 Understand what will genuinely thrive in your conditions.
🌿 Learn how to combine plants beautifully and confidently.
🌿 Know exactly what to focus on each season.
🌿 Create a garden that reflects your personality and lifestyle.
🌿 Enjoy gardening again instead of feeling overwhelmed.
Most importantly…
I’ll help you create a garden that supports your wellbeing.
Because the most beautiful gardens don’t just look lovely.
They make us feel something.
A Membership That Grows With You
Whether you’ve just started gardening or you’ve been gardening for years, the Academy meets you exactly where you are.
There are no deadlines.
No pressure to keep up.
No expectation that you’ll transform your whole garden overnight.
Instead, you’ll build your confidence little by little.
One lesson.
One planting idea.
One successful decision after another.
Before you know it…
You’ll look back and realise you’ve created something far more valuable than a beautiful garden.
You’ve created your favourite place to be.
Join the Thriving Garden Academy
£15 per month • Cancel anytime
For less than the cost of one impulse-buy at the garden centre each month, you’ll have ongoing access to expert planting guidance, beautiful inspiration and a supportive community that’s cheering you on.
Because everyone deserves a garden sanctuary.
And I’d love to help you create yours.
Everything you need to create your garden sanctuary
You don’t need to know everything about gardening.
And you certainly don’t need to spend every weekend digging and planting.
You simply need someone to help you make the right decisions at the right time.
That’s exactly what you’ll find inside the Thriving Garden Academy.
Every resource has been created to make gardening feel simpler, more enjoyable and far less overwhelming, so you can create a garden you’ll love spending time in.
Here’s what you’ll discover inside
Seasonal guidance that keeps you one step ahead
One of the biggest reasons gardening feels overwhelming is because it’s hard to know what to do next.
Inside the Academy, I’ll gently guide you through the seasons so you’ll always know where to focus your time and energy.
No more wondering if you’ve missed something.
No more feeling behind.
Just simple, timely guidance that helps your garden flourish throughout the year.
Beautiful planting ideas that take the guesswork away
Have you ever stood in a garden centre surrounded by hundreds of plants and had absolutely no idea what to choose?
You’re not alone.
Inside the Academy you’ll find professionally designed plant collections that work beautifully together, taking away the uncertainty and helping you plant with confidence.
Whether you’re dreaming of…
🌿 Mediterranean-inspired planting
🌿 Drought-tolerant borders
🌿 Shade-loving combinations
🌿 Wildlife-friendly spaces
🌿Planting for wellbeing
…you’ll have beautiful combinations ready to inspire you.
So instead of wondering what works together…
You’ll simply enjoy bringing your garden to life.
Short courses that build confidence, not overwhelm
You don’t need hours of free time.
The Academy is designed for real life.
The courses are practical, easy to follow and broken into manageable steps, so you can learn at your own pace.
No pressure.
No deadlines.
Just steady progress that fits around your life.
A growing library you’ll return to again and again
Your membership isn’t a one-off course you’ll finish and forget.
It’s a growing collection of inspiration, guidance and practical help that’s there whenever you need it.
The longer you’re a member, the more valuable it becomes.
Because your garden changes with the seasons.
And the Academy grows alongside it.
Friendly support when you need it
Gardening shouldn’t feel lonely.
Sometimes you simply need someone to say…
“Yes, that’ll work beautifully.”
Or…
“I’d choose this instead.”
Inside the Academy you’ll be part of a welcoming community where you can ask questions, share your successes and get encouragement whenever you need it.
Sometimes a little reassurance is all it takes to move forward with confidence.
Imagine how different gardening could feel…
Imagine visiting the garden centre with excitement instead of uncertainty.
Imagine knowing exactly which plants will thrive.
Imagine stepping outside and seeing borders that feel balanced, colourful and full of life.
Imagine looking forward to spending time in your garden instead of feeling guilty about everything that’s left to do.
That’s what we’re working towards.
Not perfection.
A garden that feels like home.
What’s waiting for you today?
The moment you join you’ll have instant access to a growing collection of resources, including…
Seasonal Garden Success
Learn exactly what to do in your garden throughout the year, with calm, practical guidance that removes the guesswork.
Beautiful Bulbs for Every Season
Discover how to create months of colour and interest with bulbs that bring your garden to life from season to season.
Step-by-Step Garden Survey Guide
One of the biggest mistakes people make is buying plants before truly understanding their garden.
This simple guide will help you understand your space first, making every planting decision easier afterwards.
It’s one of the most valuable things you can do before spending another penny at the garden centre.
Beautiful Plant Collections
One of my favourite parts of the Academy.
These professionally designed planting combinations help you create borders that look beautiful and grow beautifully too.
You’ll know what works together.
What thrives together.
And how to recreate the look in your own garden with confidence.
And we’re only just getting started…
The Academy is designed to grow alongside its members.
New resources are added throughout the year, giving you fresh inspiration every season.
Coming soon…
Garden Solutions
Simple answers to the gardening questions we all face.
Whether it’s a difficult spot in the garden or a planting challenge you’re unsure how to solve, these practical guides will help you move forward with confidence.
The Art of Planting Design
My signature planting design course.
I’ll share the principles I use when designing gardens professionally, showing you how to create planting that feels balanced, natural and beautiful all year round.
Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden
Because a garden sanctuary isn’t just for us.
Discover how to create a space that’s full of birds, bees, butterflies and life, while still being beautiful and easy to care for.
And that’s just the beginning.
The Academy will continue growing, just like your garden.
Kind words
“I absolutely loved Sarah’s talks on gardening… She inspired me to grow all kinds of things… Her sessions were full of useful tips, but more than that they were interesting, engaging and fun.”
Alison
“Sarah is an exceptional garden designer… incredibly helpful, flexible and generous with her knowledge. I wholeheartedly recommend her.”
Yusuf
Your garden doesn’t need to be perfect.
It just needs to feel like somewhere you want to be.
Every lesson.
Every plant collection.
Every seasonal guide.
Every conversation inside the Academy is designed with one simple purpose…
To help you create a garden you’ll never want to leave.
Join the Thriving Garden Academy
£15 per month • Cancel anytime
Your future garden starts with one small step.
I’d love to help you take it.
Hello, I’m Sarah
Planting Designer, founder of Discovering Gardens, and creator of the Thriving Garden Academy.
But more than anything…
I’m someone who believes that gardens can change the way we feel.
Long before I became a planting designer, I understood the joy that comes from being surrounded by nature.
The feeling of stepping outside after a busy day.
The sound of birdsong on a quiet morning.
Watching the seasons slowly unfold.
Those simple moments have a way of helping us breathe a little more deeply and reconnect with ourselves.
That’s why I do what I do.
Because I don’t believe a garden should just be something nice to look at.
I believe it should be somewhere you genuinely love spending time.
A place that brings calm.
A place that lifts your spirits.
A place that feels like home.
That’s what I call a garden sanctuary.
And it’s something I believe everyone deserves.
Why I created the Thriving Garden Academy
Over the years I’ve met so many lovely people who all say similar things.
“I don’t know what to plant.”
“I’ve wasted so much money.”
“I wish someone could just tell me what works.”
“I feel completely overwhelmed.”
It isn’t because they don’t care.
Quite the opposite.
They care deeply about creating a beautiful garden.
They’re simply trying to work it all out on their own.
I’ve seen how quickly confidence grows when someone has gentle guidance and encouragement.
One successful planting decision leads to another.
Then another.
Slowly, the garden begins to change.
But something else changes too.
The way they feel about it.
Gardening becomes enjoyable again.
Relaxing.
Creative.
Hopeful.
That’s exactly what I wanted this membership to offer.
Not just information.
Support.
Encouragement.
Confidence.
A place where you’re never left wondering what to do next.
You don’t need a perfect garden.
You don’t need expensive landscaping.
You don’t need acres of space.
Whether you have a tiny courtyard, a suburban garden or a large country plot…
You deserve to feel good when you step outside.
I genuinely believe that.
Some of the happiest gardens I’ve visited aren’t the biggest or the most expensive.
They’re simply loved.
Created thoughtfully.
Built one step at a time.
That’s exactly how we’ll create yours.
A little about me
When you join the Academy, you’re learning from someone who spends every day designing planting schemes that are both beautiful and practical.
Since 2010 I’ve been helping people transform their outdoor spaces through thoughtful planting design.
Along the way I’ve…
🌿 Designed planting schemes for gardens across London.
🌿 Worked alongside an award-winning landscaping company on beautiful garden projects.
🌿 Delivered planting consultations for gardeners of all experience levels.
🌿 Taught beginners, experienced gardeners and garden professionals.
🌿 Helped countless people stop second-guessing themselves and start enjoying their gardens again.
I’m passionate about sustainable gardening, wildlife-friendly planting and creating gardens that give back to both people and nature.
And I absolutely love sharing everything I’ve learned along the way.
Is the Thriving Garden Academy right for you?
The Academy will feel like home if…
🌿 You dream of creating a garden that’s peaceful, beautiful and full of life.
🌿 You’re tired of wasting money on plants that never quite work.
🌿 You’d love someone to guide you instead of trying to figure everything out alone.
🌿 You want to understand planting without feeling overwhelmed.
🌿 You enjoy learning at your own pace.
🌿 You want your garden to become your favourite place to spend time.
🌿 You believe gardening should feel joyful rather than stressful.
You don’t need experience.
You don’t need to know the names of hundreds of plants.
You just need the desire to create a garden you’ll love coming home to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need gardening experience?
Not at all.
Whether you’re planting your very first border or you’ve been gardening for years, the Academy meets you where you are.
Everything is designed to help you build confidence step by step.
How do I access everything?
As soon as you join, you’ll receive your welcome email with your login details.
From there you can explore the membership whenever it suits you.
Whether that’s from your sofa with a cup of tea or sitting in the garden on a sunny afternoon.
Can I use it on my phone?
Absolutely.
The membership works beautifully on phones, tablets and computers, so your garden inspiration is always close by.
How long do I have access?
As long as you’re a member, you’ll have unlimited access to everything inside, including all new resources that are added while you’re with us.
And because it’s a monthly membership, you’re free to cancel whenever you wish.
Imagine where your garden could be a year from now…
Imagine looking back at photographs of your garden today.
Remembering how uncertain you felt.
How overwhelming it all seemed.
Then imagine opening your back door.
The borders are beginning to fill.
The plants are thriving.
There are flowers for the bees.
Colour through the seasons.
Somewhere comfortable to sit.
Somewhere that instantly helps you slow down.
Somewhere that feels unmistakably yours.
Not because it happened overnight.
But because you kept taking one small step after another.
That’s the power of gentle, consistent progress.
And I’d love to help you get there.
The Thriving Garden Academy is ready to welcome you
Create your own garden sanctuary.
Join today and start creating a garden you’ll never want to leave.
✔️ Beautiful planting guidance
✔️ Seasonal support
✔️ Inspiring plant collections
✔️ Friendly community
✔️ Expert help whenever you need it
£15 per month
Cancel anytime.
No pressure.
Just kind, expert support to help you create a garden that brings you joy for years to come.
Join the Thriving Garden Academy
Because everyone deserves a garden sanctuary.
Legal Disclaimer: I have made every effort to represent this product accurately. My intentions for it’s potential are based on my professional experience and knowledge as a Planting Designer and I hope all my customers will achieve the results they are hoping for. I cannot guarantee success and results may vary. My recommendations are broad, and success will depend on the conditions of the customer’s garden. It’s important for customers to assess their garden’s environment to ensure any plants they buy are suitable for the space. I am not responsible for purchases my customers make that are not successful. I am also not responsible for the service or plant quality provided by the nurseries I recommend.